Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Almost categorized into “Beer Food”, the crispy ‘salted fish’ (RM10/USD3) at Yishen got us hooked, after a squeeze of lime onto the morsels cleverly disguised as “ham yue”, yet made from overlapping layers of beancurd sheet only. This IS a vegetarian restaurant, after all.

Before you go and lay the smackdown on poor Motormouth here for being biased towards the carnivorous fares, and completely ignoring the pleas, desires and lust gluttony of a vegetarian’s, be aware that occasionally, I DO go for vegetarian food. Once in a blue moon might befits the phrase I’m searching for, but I have no qualms about going vegetarian for a full day, or even a whole week.

IF … I’m not expected to adhere to the stringent rules of being a pure vegan (no meat, no dairy products, and even no onion/garlic for some! See the different categories of vegetarianism here)

Curry “Mutton” for a spicy change from the mundane greens and beancurd?

Yishen Vegetarian Restaurant started in Kampar, and then Ipoh since back in the late 80’s. The outlet in Ipoh was opened in the late 90’s, or early part of the millennium,  if I’m not mistaken.

They even branched out to two slightly upmarket branches named Yishensu – A Vegetarian Connoisseur in One Utama shopping centre and another in Bandar Bukit Tinggi in Klang.

Since an occasion called for a vegetarian feast earlier this month, I was at lost on where to choose. Of course, Ipoh has quite a few vegetarian restaurants spaced out everywhere in town and the outskirts. From the famous Sin Meng Kee and Chuk Lum to the newer Shi Fang Zai, Fu Tien and Min Sin Yie. But one restaurant stands above the rest, in terms of legacy, standing history and being more commercialized than the rest; Yishen (Yat Sum in Cantonese) in Medan Ipoh Baru … Read the rest of this entry »

Bubur Cha Cha (also known as Mo Mo Cha Cha) is a traditional Nyonya dessert that consists of boiled sweet potatoes, yam, tapioca (occasionally), sago (tapioca pearls) and black eyed peas (NO, this is the BEANS, not the “Boom Boom Pow” hitmakers) in a coconut milk(santan)-based sweet soup.

Notice that the only time I wrote anything faintly resembling a “tong sui” (Cantonese for sweet soup, a typical Chinese dessert taken after meals, or between the main meals) stall was the post on Ipoh Street Snacks, when I covered the famous desserts at the famous stretch of stalls on Tong Sui Kai (literally translated to Desserts Street).

Not to indicate that I do not have a sweet tooth for desserts. That’s so far from the truth, actually. But in Ipoh, it’s not that easy to find a comfortable place for desserts, like say; KTZ outlets in Klang Valley and its many imitators. Heck, one can even find a Cendol/ABC stall easily in Penang and Taiping. Which kind of explains why I never wrote about Cendol stalls in Ipoh, until recently.

Okay, cut the crap. And here comes not one, not two, but THREE of the more prominent “Tong Sui” outlets in Ipoh. Do provide your feedback at the end of the post, and tell me what you think should be and should not be on the list. Read the rest of this entry »

Siamese Laksa @ Family Cafe in Ipoh (RM6.80/USD2)

Ever since the ‘demise’ of Sharon’s Laksa recently, I have been receiving comments, queries and mails asking about where to go for Siamese Laksa in Ipoh. Most suggestions point to this place, named Family Cafe situated in Taman Ipoh Permai, off the main road from Jusco Kinta City leading to Tambun of Ipoh.

I have tasted Family Cafe’s Siamese Laksa once (which is only available on weekends), before Sharon’s Laksa even came into the picture. Yes, I do agree that I prefer this type of richer, less sour and spicy, yet equally as satisfying bowl of laksa, than say, its counterpart the Assam Laksa, or Curry Laksa.

So how did this bowl of Siamese Laksa at Family Cafe fare? Read on ….. Read the rest of this entry »

There was once in my post somewhere when I wrote about good Tung Poh Yuk (Braised Fatty Pork Belly with Soy Sauce)in Ipoh, and how I could not forget the nearly melt-in-mouth experience back at Bee Gaik. So imagine the gleeful look on my face when I glanced around and saw the other customers surrounding our table at Top Wok Seafood Restaurant, all blissfully wiping their gravy off the same dish with the complimentary portions of fried mantou bun.

Half fat, half lean. Only with a much, much more gelatinous layer of fat that is both smooth and has an extremely soft texture; Tung Poh Yuk (RM16/USD4.80)

Top Wok Seafood Restaurant is situated in Taman Ipoh Boulevard Timur (Boulevard East Garden?), an area densely populated by a majority of Chinese residents, en route to Tambun from Ipoh Garden East. For the specific directions, jump to the end of the post …. Read the rest of this entry »

Citrus Wine & Dine – Remains as one of our favourite restaurant in Ipoh for good Western food, or rather “Modern Euro Asia Cuisine”, as printed on their menus

Tomorrow’s the BIG day for all the mothers. Instead of having her cooking/’ta-pau-ing’ (taking away)/paying for the meals, why not be a filial child and bring her out for a decent meal instead?

If your argument borders on the lines of absurdity (NO good restaurants in Ipoh, Fine-dining in Ipoh sounds like I have to mortgage an arm and a leg, Ipoh’s too jam-packed with people, yadda yadda …..), then shame on you. Really. Okay, maybe the last one IS somewhat true, as I bear witness to unbelievable congestion in Ipoh these few days, with no clue as to why.

Braised Lamb Shank with Oriental Bean Sauce (RM35/USD10.95) – A clever burst of flavours from the East and the West. Or in this case, from down under as well?

I wrote about Citrus Wine & Dine before, way back in 2008. The restaurant situated in Ipoh Garden East, facing the main road of Jalan Perajurit en route to Tambun/Sunway City has been around for a good few years now. This huge building, occupying a lot of its own, also houses another eatery named Wan Stop Cafe (previously Sharon’s Laksa), that serves forgettable food ranging from Portuguese-style Grilled Seafood, and the likes.  Read the rest of this entry »

Some of you might be wondering about the reason(s) behind the serious lack of Ipoh’s Japanese food posts on my blog. Last I wrote something of such trait was way back when I discovered A Lai I for the first time, after that same Japanese restaurant has been running for a good 3-4 years prior to my virginal visit.

Pathetic huh? In reality, I actually love Japanese food to bits, especially those promising the freshest of ingredients, the most authentic of dishes (aside from the usual California rolls, bento sets and xxx-Dons, which by the way, are exactly what Sushi King is heavily promoting now), and preferably, a reasonably-priced feast.

But of course, Japanese food don’t come cheap, nor do they come in abundance. The good ones, at least. I have visited almost all of the Japanese restaurants in Ipoh, save for Kizuna One at Royal Perak Golf Club, for they charge exorbitantly more, for the same fares one can get at Kizuna, the new Wasabi Japanese Buffet at 1Casuarina which is WAY over-rated for the price one pays, and some random ones sprouting all over Greentown, or Ipoh Garden East.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Posts :

NEW!! (January 2011) – Giant Cinnamon Rolls, Tuna Spaghetti & Jalapeno Mac & Cheese

Baby Back Ribs Pizza Promotion (ended in Oct 2010) – http://www.j2kfm.com/baby-back-ribs-pizza-michelangelos-pizzeria-ipoh-promotion/

Since Michelangelo’s Pizzeria (www) changes their menu and specials of the week/month from time to time, this post will be constantly being updated with the latest promotions from Ipoh’s most beloved pizzeria, specials of the week (they change at blistering speed, so you’d better check the latest updates on this page) and maybe a contest or two in the future.

Elevated on those huge but hollowed Heinz tomato paste cans, the pizzas at Michelangelo’s Pizzeria are never short of fresh, quality ingredients.

Currently, Michelangelo’s Pizzeria is offering a special MEATBALL Pizza (scroll down for a better look), with Italian style of chunky and dense balls of pork laced with herbs and spices, generously thrown on the dough with melted mozzarella and fresh tomato paste. If you’re a meatball lover, you CAN’T give this a miss !!! For limited time only!

Meatball Pizza & Chicken of the Sea (Tuna, Onions, Pineapples)

Good thing about dining at Michelangelo’s Pizzeria is that you can mix and match your pizzas, and the ingredients that go onto the base. Select up to two choices for each pizza (don’t worry, you won’t be paying an arm and a leg … unless you decide to order 4 varieties in ONE pizza, then Michael might come at you with a cleaver!) so you can taste different varieties without having to order excessively.

The Hog (Italian Pork Sausages, Smoked Streaky Bacon, Virginia Ham) and Bacon & Eggs

The “Chicken of the Sea” or tuna, onions and pineapple pizza is also a special item NOT featured permanently in the menu. Though with much persuasion (possibly a wink or two), you can try to coerce them into inserting the combination into the permanent menu.

And you really should, for the chunks of briny tuna with loads of chopped onions and cubed pineapples made a beautiful coalition; enough to send one into a seafood frenzy.

My personal favourite pizza from the list? The HOG of course. With an overload of PORKY goodness; bacons, sausages and hams, how can one resist this barbaric/carnivorous creation?!! Pray they do not take this out from the menu, for if you’re in dire need for protein, THIS IS IT. The Bacon And Eggs pizza is also a terrific combination, with overeasy eggs cracked on top of the layers of cheese, then topped with smokey streaked bacons.

Spicy Creamy Chicken Stroganoff – A fiery twist to the classic

Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno Pepper stuffed with Cheese – Be prepared to breathe fire ……

Other specials currently on the menu include the spaghetti topped with creamy Chicken Stroganoff, but this one has a fiery kick to it. If you’re good with spicy food, then give their Grilled Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno Pepper with Cheese a try. Want even more kick? Try the peppers WITH the seeds intact!!!! (Ask for Meg to please your sadistic palate)

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